It’s just after 3 a.m. and I’m finally crawling back to bed because my toddler has been up with a stomach ache. As I drift back to sleep, my 5-year-old taps my shoulder. He’s sobbing because he’s had a bad dream. I settle him back in his bed—all while my husband slumbers undisturbed.

Sound familiar?

Yeah, this parenting gig is tough. I’ve come to the conclusion that the midnight to morning shift is definitely the hardest part. It leaves me frustrated with lack of sleep, jealous of my sleeping husband and doubling up on coffee in the morning.  

Yet, I wouldn’t change a single thing.

Motherhood is something you can’t prepare for and has the broadest job description you’ll ever come across. And the pay ... well, I won’t even go there.

Some mothers make it look so easy. You know the ones, their lives are so together. They spring about holding play dates or running errands without hassle, have a flawlessly clean house and their kids' clothes always match. These moms sit effortlessly in a restaurant with their kids, who dine on steak and veggies, while having a good family conversation.

At my table, I’m worn out from our trip to Target, almost too tired to converse. I have to negotiate every bite they take or bribe them with dessert, stickers, anything to get them to eat. Sometimes, I even break a sweat as a meltdown ensues. The eyes of other restaurant patrons are on us—I imagine they're admiring my cute kids, not our awkwardness.

Hey, we’ve all been there.

Motherhood is one tough job, even more complicated for those of us who juggle parenting and a career.

Moms need to be compassionate, organized, resourceful and thrifty. They need to know how to cook and how to get grass stains out of sports uniforms. They need basic skills in nursing and education. Mom is also the athletic director, personal shopper, chauffeur, social scheduler and finance manager. And that just scrapes the surface of all the things moms are responsible for.

Think about all the things that your mother/wife does for your family. It’s no wonder there’s a special day just to say “Thanks, Mom.” So, this weekend, do something special to show the moms in your life you care about them.

Have a happy Mother’s Day, Perry Hall!

How will you celebrate Mother’s Day this weekend? Tell us in the comments.